Hollinger Corp. 
pH8.5 






OUR SOLDIERS 



AND THE 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE 



A San Francisco Enterprise 

Published by 

State Commission of Immigration and Housing 
of California 

525 Market Street, San Francisco 

MARCH, 1918 




CALIFOKNIA STATE PRINTING OFFICE 

SACRAMENTO 

19 18 



- C ^75/ 



Personnel of the Commission. 

COMMISSIONERS. 

SIMON J. LUBIN, President Sacramento 

MOST REV. B. J. HANNA, D.D.. Vice-President San Francisco 

MRS. FRANK A. GIBSON Los Angeles 

J. H. McBRIDE, M.D Pasadena 

PAUL SCHARRENBERG, Secretary San Francisco 

GEORGE L. BELL, Attorney and Executive Officer. 

Oifice of the Commission. 
Underwood Building, 525 Market Street, San Francisco. 



D, of D. 
MAY 19 1918 



FOREWORD. 

The Secretary of Interior, Hon. Franklin K. Lane, has recently called 
attention to the handicap suffered by our army through the presence 
therein of many thousands of men who are ignorant of our language. 

The Commission of Immigration and Housing of California takes 
pleasure in presenting the follomng brief account of how patriotic men 
and women of San Francisco have met the emergency, in the hope that 
other communities will follow the worthy example. 

The gratitude of the Nation is due these pioneers, who have volun- 
teered time and energy, after performing a full day's task in the 
schools. 

Again are we reminded of the truth of the fact that patriotism today 
can be displayed at home as well as on the battlefield and that to win 
the war all agencies must cooperate. 

March, 1918. 



2-87497 



ILLITERACY AMONG OUR SOLDIERS. 

The war is rapidly introducing America to its own social and eco- 
nomic conditions — to itself. Each national stock-taking discovers many 
things hitherto unknown and unsuspected. Chief among these great 
surprises is the national importance of the alien question, as indicated 
by an analysis of the official figures of the draft published as the report 
of General Crowder, Provost Marshal General : 

Total alien registration __'^_______ . 1,243,801 

Allied aliens i : 772,744 

Neutral aliens 148,274 

Enemy aliens 40,663 

Allied with enemy aliens '. ._ 282,120 

The seven states with the greatest registration of foreign born men 
between the ages of 21 and 31 are: 

New York ^___ _______^_ 289,333 

Pennsylvania 176,054 

Massachusetts 105,390 

Illinois 99,399 

New Jersey 76,969 

Ohio 70,718 

California 64,960 

Following close upon this report comes the information from the 
Federal Commissioner of Education that, while the regular army refuses 
illiterates, the national army now numbers nearly 40,000 men who can 
neither read nor write, and many times that number who can not speak 
the language of the country for which they are fighting. 

These facts are causing much perplexity, as well as anxiety in indus- 
trial circles, and are militating against army discipline. 

Army drill is a science in itself and has a vocabulary of its own ; but 
the army has no machinery for teaching illiterates our language ; 
yet literacy and familiarity with English are essentials for efficient 
soldiers. 

There being neither national nor state plans to meet this problem, 
the responsibility for providing such education in cantonments is how 
thrown upon the communities in which these camps are located. With 
an estimate, worked out on the law of average, that the United States 
today has 5,000,000 illiterates and more than that number of people who 
can not speak the language of the country, each state can now, from 
General Crowder 's report, figure out its own task and be wise in time. 

San Francisco's Way. 
The attention of the Board of Education of San Francisco was lately 
called to the fact that nearly three hundred men at the Presidio and 



— 6 — 

Fort Scott were in need of instruction in English, and the following- 
table was presented, of men who do not speak, read or write English 
readily : 

Italian 50 Swedish If? 

Lithuanian 13 German 6 

Polish 63 Croatian 1 

Russian . 14 Portuguese 3 

Austrian 3 Spanish 2 

Finnish 21 Bohemian 8 

Slavonic 5 Danish 1 

Greek 7 Hungarian 2 

Norwegian 8 Svenska 1 

French 3 Montenegro 1 

Bulgarian 1 Flemish 1 

Hebrew 7 English 45 

Belgian 1 

283 

A committee composed of Miss Regan, member of the Board of Edu- 
cation, Dr. Anne Nicholson, director of foreign classes of the city schools, 
and Mr. White, educational adviser of the Y. M. C. A., called upon 
Colonel Marsh and Major Wright at the Presidio, and confirmed the 
report of the urgent need of teachers. The military officials then prom- 
ised to arrange for class quarters and for transportation to and from 
the end of the car line, if teachers could be secured. ( See Memorandum 
last page of this leaflet.) 

As there was no fund with which to pay necessary teachers, it was 
decided to give an opportunity to volunteers from the regular school 
force. Notices were sent to the various schools, merely stating that 
those interested in teaching English to foreign born men now serving in 
our army could report for volunteer service at a meeting called for 
March 7, 1918, two days distant, and that about thirty teachers would 
be required. 

A representative from the State Commission of Immigration and 
Housing of California had the privilege of attending this meeting where 
more than two hundred of the best high and elementary women teachers 
crowded the Civil Service rooms at the City Hall, eager to offer volun- 
teer trained service. 

Miss Regan of the school board stated the object of the meeting. 
Mr. White, the educational adviser of the Y. M. C. A., gave some supple- 
mentary information. Then Dr. Anne Nicholson, the newly appointed 
director of the city foreign classes, made a brief talk on general princi- 
ples and methods of teaching foreigners, after which she distributed 
specially prepared leaflets with- instructions as to their use. Then the 
teachers were formally registered for as many and such nights of ser- 
vice as they could give; stating at the same time any special language 
qualifications. 



— 7 — 

With the aunouncement that as soon as this registration could be 
tabulated the necessary teachers would be notified and that the first 
detachment would report for duty on the following Monday night, the 
meeting adjourned. Not, however, until many of the women had 
decided to spend Saturday at the Civil Service rooms preparing charts 
and cards especially designed to carry the language to soldiers. 

Monday night, March 11, 1918, at 6.45, two devoted women members 
of the school board, the director, and thirty-two of San Francisco 's best 
teachers were met at the gates of the Presidio and conducted to the 
pupils who awaited them in two crowded mess halls, one at the Presidio 
and the other at Fort Scott. 

By arrangement of the officers, the men were divided arbitrarily 
according to nationality, and thus a delicate task of transformation was 
begun on this first evening. Through permission from the Federal 
Naturalization Bureau, its educational registration card was used for 
registration ; and from this card, though simple, much valuable peda- 
gogic aid is available. For instance, one teacher had an Arabian with 
whom she could make no headway until she consulted the card, upon 
which was noted the fact that the only English with which the man was 
acquainted was a few words pertaining to his occupation — peddling 
women's underwear. The way was opened, and she begin building a 
vocabulary around the few words already learned for his trade, conduct- 
ing him, skillfully, from the known to the unknown. 

From these cards it was also learned that there were native born 
Americans who were absolutely illiterate — one of these from Massa- 
chusetts. 

On the second night it was decided to reclassify; and the director 
began with the mass and asked all who could not speak any English to 
stand. Assisted and pushed forward by their more fortunate fellows, 
these men were soon distributed to teachers. Those who could speak 
English, but needed reading and writing, were easily segregated, leav- 
ing the third division as "understanding a little." With this broad 
classification, the work is now proceeding. 

All lessons center around the military life. The vocabulary is 
selected to develop understanding of camp and field orders and to 
educate for participation in the general activities of the encampment. 
The Board of Education sent out twelve American flags ; and at the end 
of the first week, progress had been made towards an understanding of 
the words, preparatory to teaching the Star Spangled Banner and other 
national songs which are a positive and useful part of the educational 
scheme. 

Many of the men are reading and writing for the first time and seem 
even more anxious to do this than to speak. Watching their comrades 



writing- letters home and receiving their mail has made a deep and 
lasting impression upon the illiterate; but the teachers are too intelli- 
gent to allow reading and writing to supersede speaking and under- 
standing which, undoubtedly, is the primary requisite for army disci- 
pline and American life. 

The classes are increasing rapidly, fifty new men reporting on the 
third night; and men not required to take a course are asking for more 
advanced work on lines necessary to their military progress. 

The rude barracks are taking on necessary equipment and conven- 
iences. Maps and a large globe have appeared. The school board has 
bought and donated enough readers, ' ' English for Coming Americans, ' ' 
selected because of the vocabulary at the end of the book, and the Fisher 
and Call books for oeciasional use. It has also furnished supplies and 
many privileges ; but above all, through its indefatigable women mem- 
bers, it is giving encouragement and adding enthusiasm to the war 
service of its splendid company of volunteers. 

The State Board of Education has allowed the use of its writing sys- 
tem and furnished two hundred copy books. The Y. M. C. A. has 
supplemented supplies. 

The State Commission of Immigration and Housing of California has 
sent out 250 copies each of two of its publications, "A Discussion of 
Methods of Teaching English," and "The Spirit of the Nation," a col- 
lection of patriotic selections and the words and music of our national 
songs. 

This gives the bare outlines of the general helpfulness towards the 
endeavor; but it takes close personal knowledge of the daily routine, 
of the loyal spirit which quickens and sustains the teachers who are thus 
giving themselves to this taisk ; it takes a realization of the helplessness 
in any situation of men in America who can not speak our language; 
it takes an intelligent comprehension of what this means to our country, 
to understand the full significance of this volunteer service of the women 
teachers of San Francisco ; a service that gives itself to our soldiers, but 
in so doing helps toward the broader work of establishing a standard 
of teaching English, that has never been attained and which is now 
acknowledged to be one of the greatest needs of America. 



— 9 



SPECIMEN LESSONS PREPARED BY SAN FRANCISCO 
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL COURSES FOR 
UNITED STATES ARMY MEN AT THE PRESIDIO AND FORT 
WINFIELD SCOTT. 

Lesson I. 

My name is 

My home is 

I belong to the Company 

I was born in 

I have been in the United States 

I speak the language. 

I write the language. 

I can read 

I speak very little English. 

I write English. 

I read English. 

I wish to learn the English lang;uage. 
I wish to read English. 
I wish to write English. 



-years 



Lesson II. 

I enlisted in the United States Army 

I entered the United States Army 

I am a private in the Company. 

My corporal's name is 

My captain's name is 

The first lieutenant's name is 

The second lieutenant's name is 

The captain's name is 

The colonel's name is 

The major's name is 



Lesson III. 



This is my head. 
This is my body. 
These are my arms. 
This is my right arm. 
This is my left arm. 
These are my two arms. 
This is my right leg. 
This is my left leg. 
This is my right hand. 
This is my left hand. 
This is my right foot. 
This is my left foot. 



My head is on my shoulders. 
This is my right shoulder. 
This is my left shoulder. 
This is my neck. 
This is my chest. 
These are my fingers. 
These are my ten fingers. 
This is my wrist. 
This is my knee. 
This is my ankle. 
This is my hip. 
This is my elbow. 



I see with my eyes. 
I hear with my ears. 
I smell with my nose. 
I eat with my mouth. 
I see the hat. 
I see the gun. 
I sec the desk. 

Etc. 



Lesson IV. 

I work with my hands. 
I walk with my feet. 
I talk with my tongue and lips. 
I feel with my fingers. 
I hear the bugle. 
I hear the bell. 

I hear the voice of my captain. 
Etc. 



have two hands, 
have two feet, 
have two arms, 
have two legs, 
have two eyes, 
have two ears, 
have one mouth. 



— 10 — 

Lesson V. 



I have two cheeks. 

I have one nose. 

I have two shoulders. 

I have two knees. 

I have ten fingers. 

You have two hands, etc. 

He has two hands, etc. 



Lesson VI. 



Hold up your right hand. 
Hold up your left hand. 
Hold up both hands. 
Hold up ten fingers. 
Point to your right foot. 
Point to your left foot. 



Etc. 



Lift your right foot. 
Lift your left foot. 
Point to your right. 
Point to your left. 
Point to your right eye. 
Point to your left eye. 



(Give these directions, acting them as you give them. Let the men say "I hold 
up my right hand," etc., or "This is my right foot," etc. "I point to my left," etc. 
Then allow one of the men to give the commands. Take your place with the rest 
and answer with them, etc. 

In giving statements containing left and 7-ight, face the same direction as the class. 



Lesson VII. 



I walk towards the door. 

I get to the door. 

I stop at the door. 

I take hold of the knob. 

I open the door. 

I close the dooi*. 

I shut the door. 



I walk towards the window. 
I stop at the window. 
I open the window. 
I close the window. 

or 
I raise the window. 
I lower the window. 



Choose activities that can be acted out. Repeat, letting different men act out the 
instructions. The occasion furnishes the activities. 



Lesson VIII. 

A. Vary the foregoing exercise by allowing the men to say what you are doing ; 
e. g., the teacher steps to the board and takes a piece of chalk and writes on the 
board. The men say, "You are going to the board. You are taking a piece of 
chalk. You are writing on the board. You put the chalk on the desk. You erase 
the writing on the board." 

Suggested activities : 
Get ready to write a letter. Take a book, open it, and begin to read. 

Get your hat and put it on. Close the book and put it on the desk. 

Put your coat on. Get a book from the shelf or case. 

B. Let one of the men take the place of the teacher. Let the class say, as he 
acts, "He is going to the board," etc. 



Lesson on the Flag. 
Every country has its flaj 
England has its flag. 
France has its flag. 
Italy has its flag. 
Etc. 



(See chart on flags.) 



— 11 — 

Lesson IX. 

This is the United States flag. 

These are the stripes of the United States flag. 

These are the stars of the United States flag. 

There are thirteen stripes. 

There are seven red stripes. 

There are six white stripes. 

These thirteen stripes stand for the first thirteen 

states. 
There are forty-eight stars. 

These stand for the forty-eight states of the Union. 
The red stands for courage, the white stands for 

purity, and the blna stands for truth or justice. 



Lesson X. 

Continuation of the lesson on the Flag. 
The flag is raised to the top of the flagstaff. 
The flag is hoisted in the morning. 

TTie flag of the United States is called the Star-Spangled Banner. 
It is sometimes called the Stars and Stripes. 

The Star-Spangled Banner is the national song of the United States. 
The band plays the Star-Spangled Banner. 
Everybody rises and sings the Star-Spangled Banner. 
Everybody pledges allegiance to the flag. 
They pledge allegiance solemnly. 
The flag stands for liberty and justice for all. 
The pledge to the flag is : 

"I pledge allegiance to my flag, and to the Republic for which it stands. One 
Nation, indivisible — with liberty and justice for all." 



Lesson XI. 



Study the meaning of the following: 

squad The corporal and seven privates foi*m a squad. 

platoon Three or four squads form a platoon. The platoon is commanded by 

a lieutenant or a sergeant. 

company Four or more platoons form a company. The company is commanded 

by a captain. 

battalion Four companies form a battalion. The battalion is commanded by a 

major. 

regiment Three battalions with a headquarters company, a machine-gun com- 

pany, and a supply company form a regiment. The regiment is 
commanded by a colonel. 

Use these words in numerous sentences, substituting the names of the different 
divisions, and the names of the ofiicers. 



LIBRARY .OF 



Congress 



— 12 — 
Lesson XII. 



021 330 982 



Terms connected with the position of the soldier "at attention." 
Hold the head erect, and squarely to the front. 
Keep the eyes straight to the front. 
Draw the chin in. 
Hold the shoulders square. 
Lift the chest. 

Hold the body erect and resting equally on the hips. 
Draw the hips back slightly. 
Let the arms and hands hang naturally. 
Let the thumb touch the seam of the trousers. 
Hold the knees straight but not stiff. 

Let the heels touch the same line, as close together as possible. 
Let the feet be turned out equally at an angle of 45 degrees. 
Let the weight of the body rest equally upon the heels and balls of the feet. 

(T'o the teacher: Do not attempt to illustrate the positions. Allow one of the 
men to do so.) 



.MEArOKANOUJE 



HEADQUARTERS COAST DEFENSES OF SAN FRANCISCO 

Fort Winfield Scott, California 

March 8, 1918 



Organization Commanders submitted pursuant to memorandum No. 39, these head- 
quarters, current series, the names of men of their commands who were unable to 
speak English, or unable to read or write English. Since those names have been 
submitted some of the men referred to have been transferred to other organizations, 
and they should be located by organization commanders for compliance herewith. 

There will be a meeting at the Presidio in Cantonment. Building 127, North Can- 
tonment at 7.00 p.m., and at the Post Exchange, Fort Winfield Scott, 7.45 p.m. 
on Monday, March 11, 1918, for the purpose- of arranging classes for the instruction 
of these men in English. 

Organization Commanders within Fort Winfield Scott reservation will send all 
of the men of their commands whose names were submitted, as aforesaid, to the 
Post Exchange at the time above referred to, sending them in charge of a non- 
commissioned olBcer, who will submit a list of the men of the organization so sent. 

Organization Commanders of Coast Artillery troops now quartered in the North 
Cantonment in the Presidio Reservation will similarly send men of their organiza- 
tions Avhose names were so submitted to Cantonment Building No. 127, at the time 
indicated, such men to be sent under charge of a non-commissioned officer, with a 
list of the names of the men so sent. 

The lists of names in duplicate will be turned in at the two points of meeting, 
lists to serve as a basis for arranging classes. 

BY ORDER OF COLONEL MARSH : 

A. G. Wright 

Major C. A. N. G. 

Adjutant 



■ 



HoU 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



021 330 982 1 



